Automatic funnel.



l. S. CONWAY.

AUTOMATIC FUNNEL.

APPLICATION HLED JUNE 11. 1918.

1,286,236. Patented Dec. 3. 1918.

v rd 4 K )1 \NVENTOR i ATTORNEY JAMES S, CON 'WAT, OF JANESVILLE, MINNESOTA.

AUTOMATIC FUNNEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

' Application filed June 17, 1918. Serial No. 240,455.

To all whom it may concern:

' Beit known that I, JAMES S. CONWAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Janesville, in the county of \Vaseca and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Funnels, of which the following is a specitication.

This invention relates generally to funnels, and particularly to self closing funnels, having for its primary object to greatly simplify and improve the construction and operation of devices of this character as well as to increase their efliciency. I A further object of the invention is to provide a self-closing funnel which is constructed and arranged in such manner as to be moved to open position when being used to receive liquid from a container.

Still further objects reside in providing a device of the character described which is of extremely simple construction, which is composed of but few. inexpensive v and readily assembled parts, the various parts being so constructed and assembled as to minimize the opportunity for wear or break age, which is adaptable to openings of various sizes, and which will prove highly practical in use.

Withthese objects in view, together with otherswhich will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel formation, combination, and arrangement of parts, all'as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed in the claims.

In the drawings:-

F igure 1 is a vertical sectional View taken through a funnel constructed in accordance with the invention, and

Fi 2 is a fragmentary top plan View of the improved funnel.

Referring now to the drawing, 3 indicates the bowl portion of a funnel of familiar construction. and 1 indicates the reduced neck thereof. The lower end of this neck is flared as at 5, constitutin a seatfor the valve to be hereafter descri ed. The neck 1 is surrounded by a compressible element indicated at 6, the same being preferably formed of rubber. It will be observed that this covering is of substantially frusto conical shape. having a smooth outer surface, and the particular arrangement permits of the neck being inserted in openings of various sizes. When the funnel is applied to the filling opening of a vessel, the same is forced downwardly until the outer surface of the element 6 engages the walls defining the opening, and slight pressure then applied to the funnel will cause a liquid proof joint between the funnel and the vessel.

A. valve stem 7 is arranged within the body of the funnel, and passes upwardly through the neck and bowl portions thereof. The lower end of this valve stem or rod is equipped with a valve head indicated at 8, the same being held in proper position upon the said stem by the spaced retaining nuts 9. It will be observed that the outer walls of this valve head are so shaped as to seat snugly upon the flared end 5 of the funnel neck, and it is obvious, therefore, that when the valve head is moved upwardly into engagement with the valve seat, a liquid tight closure for the lower end of the neck is provided. This valve head may be formed of any suitable material.

The valve stem 7 is held properly centered in the funnel by a cross member 10 arranged 'preferably within the body and adjacent the juncture of the neck with the bowl porstem 7 protrudes, and cotter pins or other I securing devices 15 are passed through the upper end of the said stem above and below the arm, whereby movement of the arm either upwardly or downwardly will cause the stem 7 to move accordingly within the body of the funnel. An expansion spring 16 encircles the valve stem 7 at the upper end thereof, resting at one end upon the keeper member 11 and at its opposite end against the arm 12. This expansion spring thus normally holds the rod at the limit of its upward movement, whereby the valve at the lower end of the funnel neck will be closed.

The free end of the arm 12 is equipped with a head 17, having a central vertically disposed opening 18 therein.

In operation, the funnel is inserted in the filling opening of the tank. The spring 16 maintains the valve at the lower end of the against the tension of spring 16, whereupon the valve at the lower end of the funnel neck will be opened. The liquid is in this manner allowed to pass into the container to be filled. When the liquid level within the container has risen above the lower end of the tunnel, its presence within the neck 4 wiilat once become apparent to the operator or" the device, and he may then withdraw the filling receptacle from the funnel. The spring 16 at once closes the valve, and the funnel may then be removed from the receptacle. The liquid confined within the funnel neck may be emptied therefrom by moving the arm 1:2 downwardiy so as to open the valve.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided an automatic tunnel which is of extremely simple construction and yet which Wlil efficiently perform the functions for which it is designed. By using a tunnel of this character it is obvious that waste or 'spiiling of the liquid is obviated.

messed invention. It is to be understood that it may make such changes in construction and arrangement and combination of parts,

materials, dimensions, et cetera, as may prove expedient and fall within the scope of the appended claim,

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to so cure by Letters Patent, is

A funnel having a bowl and a neck, the lower end of'said neck being flared, a stem extending through "said funnel, a valve head on the lower end of said stem adapted to seat in said flared portion of said neck, a keeper member on the bowl portion of said funnel confining the upper end of said stem, an arm pivoted upon said bowl and having an aperture near the free end thereof, the said stem being extended through said aperture, cotter pins for connecting said stem to said arm, an expansion spring encircling said stem and hearing at its ends ao'ains't said arm and said keeper member respectively, a head on the free end of said arm, and the said head being provided with a filling opening. In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES S. CONWAY.

'Witnesses:

HERMA MIT'rELs'rAEDT, Cross. GRANT.

@opies or this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. If. v i 

